The USA achieved those goals without most of the stars who captured the nation's imagination. Instead, the team relied on a group of young players who were children when the USA became an international power.

"You can see that the youth of soccer is really coming up," defender Cat Whitehill says. "We have a lot of energy from a bunch of different people and a lot of technical skill that's very impressive. It's exciting to see."

Making a dramatic impression is forward Natasha Kai, who has six goals in 17 games.

Kai, 23, not only played all 120 minutes in the USA's 2-1 overtime victory against Canada in the Gold Cup final, she took three dangerous scoring chances that forced goalkeeper Erin McLeod to make crucial saves.

Kai, combined with Abby Wambach and Kristine Lilly, helps increase the USA's offensive options. "We're more creative," Whitehill said. "Maybe we'll go one-on-one. Maybe we'll go down the sideline and cross the ball. Maybe we'll shoot from outside. We incorporate all different types of attacking in any (given) game."

Providing midfield support are Leslie Osborne and Carli Lloyd. Osborne, 23, has played 30 games for the USA and started 12 of the last 13 for injured starter Shannon Boxx.

"Carli and Leslie have gotten some serious minutes that, going into the World Cup, eases the pressure for them," Wambach says.

"Carli took the team on her shoulders and won this game for us," Wambach says. "Carli's great at dribbling through defenses. She was getting balls forward. We're learning more and more how to make runs off Carli."

The final represented the 21st international game for Lloyd, 24.

Defensively, the USA has been able to mesh such young defenders as Lori Chalupny, Tina Frimpong and Stephanie Lopez with veterans Kate Markgraf, Christine Rampone, Heather Mitts and Whitehill.

"I was ecstatic with our backline in the last two games," goalkeeper Hope Solo says. "We're playing better than I've seen them play in the last two years."

"She's one of the most skillful players I've seen with the ball as a defender," Solo says.

Whitehill anticipates continued growth once the USA begins preparing for the World Cup, which is in September in China. The team will return to California in January for a residency camp before the Four Nations Tournament in China. "Our development is huge," Whitehill says, "and it's going to be even better next year."